Norma D. Smith
July 11th, 1932 - December 27th, 2024
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Norma's Obituary
Norma G. Smith, 92, of Crown Point Senior Living in Stevensville, passed away, Friday, December 27, 2024 at Pine Ridge Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.
Arrangements are entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel, St. Joseph. Memorial donations in Norma’s name may be made to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Those wishing to sign Norma’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Norma was born July 11, 1932 to Fred & Erna Gatje. She graduated from Berkeley High School and earned a Bachelors Degree in Fine Art from the Pratt Institute for Fine Art, both in Brooklyn, New York. Norma moved to St. Joseph when her husband Norman accepted the position of corporate pilot for Whirlpool Corporation in 1959. She was a regular for many years at the annual Krasl Art Fair in St. Joseph, displaying her fabric collage artwork. Norma was a member of First Congregational United Church of Christ, the Krasl Art Center and the Women’s Service League. She loved animals, having many cats over the years, and enjoyed listening to classical music. Norma cherished the time spent with her family, every chance she had.
Norma is survived by her children-Diana (John) Simaz of Trout Lake, MI, Dan (Rosemarie) Smith of Fort Wayne, IN; four granddaughters-Katie (Jared) Butts, Jennifer (Jesse) Fuller, Erin (Dustin) Messman & Robin Smith; her beloved great-granddaughter Harper Butts; and several nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Norman on August 19, 2017, and her brother Robert F. Gatje.
Arrangements are entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel, St. Joseph. Memorial donations in Norma’s name may be made to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Those wishing to sign Norma’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Norma was born July 11, 1932 to Fred & Erna Gatje. She graduated from Berkeley High School and earned a Bachelors Degree in Fine Art from the Pratt Institute for Fine Art, both in Brooklyn, New York. Norma moved to St. Joseph when her husband Norman accepted the position of corporate pilot for Whirlpool Corporation in 1959. She was a regular for many years at the annual Krasl Art Fair in St. Joseph, displaying her fabric collage artwork. Norma was a member of First Congregational United Church of Christ, the Krasl Art Center and the Women’s Service League. She loved animals, having many cats over the years, and enjoyed listening to classical music. Norma cherished the time spent with her family, every chance she had.
Norma is survived by her children-Diana (John) Simaz of Trout Lake, MI, Dan (Rosemarie) Smith of Fort Wayne, IN; four granddaughters-Katie (Jared) Butts, Jennifer (Jesse) Fuller, Erin (Dustin) Messman & Robin Smith; her beloved great-granddaughter Harper Butts; and several nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Norman on August 19, 2017, and her brother Robert F. Gatje.
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